The future of the oldest surviving timber yard in the country will be decided at a judicial review next week.

A court ruling on Tuesday (October 31) is expected to determine the fate of the historic Newson’s Timber Yard, based in Pimlico Road, Belgravia.

The timber yard survived a huge fire in 1877 and then the Blitz , but could now be levelled by developers.

The Grosvenor Estate owns the 175-year-old site and has been given planning permission from Westminster Council to redevelop it into a pair of 10,000sq ft retail spaces and modern luxury flats.

Newson’s Timber Yard was opened in 1845 by entrepreneur John Newson, and provided the materials used to build modern Belgravia.

It has also supplied the RHS Chelsea Flower Show since it began in 1911, and was taken over by Travis Perkins in 1998.

The Belgravia Estate planning application, granted in 2016, received 350 official letters of objection from the community - 10 times those in support.

Two thousand people also added their names to a petition opposing the development.

Martin Meech, group property director at Travis Perkins, said: “The loss of Newson’s Timber Yard would be a significant blow to local businesses and the community, but it is also indicative of a wider threat to essential services across the capital.

“We have worked alongside the local community in a hard-fought campaign to convince Westminster City Council that Newson’s Timber Yard should be saved.

“Over 2,000 local residents signed petitions urging the Grosvenor Estate to withdraw their planning application, and 350 written objections were submitted by the public to the Council.

“People in the community want the yard to remain because of the essential service it provides.

“The branch plays an important role in the local economy, and has also hosted a number of events for the community – from art competitions in local schools to a commemorative event celebrating its relationship with the Chelsea Flower Show.”

Belgravia Society trustee Mary Regnier-Leigh said: “The Belgravia Society remains united in its conviction that Newson’s Timber Yard is part of the heritage of Belgravia and is of significant historical value and should remain for future generations.

“We have campaigned alongside over 300 objectors, local councillors, trade associations and Travis Perkins to save the timber yard from redevelopment.”

The society’s bid to have the timber yard listed as an Asset of Community Value was also rejected by the council.

Grosvenor Estate declined to comment ahead of the judicial review.

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